IRENE, South Africa  The USA's game against England, the most watched first-round World Cup match in U.S. history, was certainly significant. For Friday's game against Slovenia, the TV ratings will probably be smaller but the stakes will be bigger.

"In all likelihood, if we lose, we're out of the tournament. That's the reality of the situation," midfielder Landon Donovan said Tuesday. "As much as people put (the focus) on the England game, this one becomes more important in that way."

Slovenia can clinch a second-round trip with a victory after earning three points with its 1-0 win against Algeria on Sunday. England and the USA have one point each after their 1-1 draw Saturday.

A tie would also be acceptable, Donovan said. "It means we're still in the tournament. You have to be aware of that. That being said, we understand very clearly that if we win, we've got a very, very good chance of getting through. So that will be our focus," he said.

Against Slovenia, the Americans find themselves in the unusual position of being favored heading into a World Cup game. They will also be expected to beat Algeria on June 23 in their Group C finale.

"Going into a game as possible favorites will be different for us," defender Jay DeMerit said, "to know you're under pressure to get three points or to get a good result instead of saying, 'Let's go out and try our best and make sure we work well together and see what happens.' … It's games like this that are going to get you to the next round, not games against England."

Growing frustrations:

The top three World Cup complaints so far? Vuvuzelas, of course. The Jabulani ball, which seems to have a mind of its own. And the low number of goals scored: 23 in 14 matches, which is eight goals behind 2006 and the lowest in any previous 32-team World Cup at this point.

Could those last two gripes be related? "It's tricky," Donovan said of the ball. "It's hard to navigate when someone plays you a long ball. It's hard to judge where it's going, where it's coming down. … As much as the goalies are frustrated by it, the players are, too. You're seeing a lot of missed chances, a lot of crosses that are mistimed that probably would have been goals but are not going in."

Of course, it's still early. The vuvuzelas are just getting warmed up, the Jabulani balls are just adjusting to the altitude and there are 50 more games to be played.

The next day when the team gathered for a pool session workout, Howard's arm wasn't in a sling. His chest wasn't tattooed with bruises. Instead, his wounds were dressed with a …Band-Aid?

"We were laughing because, obviously, there's been a lot being made about his horrific injury, and he comes out with a little Band-Aid on," DeMerit said. "I think he's got some stud marks (from Heskey's cleats) that he wants to cover up. … It's funny for him to come out with a little boo-boo on his ribs."

A news reporter asked if it was a SpongeBob Band-Aid.

"Should have been," DeMerit said.

Howard, recovering from bruised ribs, is expected to play in Friday's game.

"He looks to be well on his way. He's got quite a few days to recover, so I'm confident, for sure," DeMerit said.

Onyewu passes test:

As much as the USA wouldn't be the same team without Howard, the same applies to Oguchi Onyewu.

There was much alarm heading into the World Cup because the defender had yet to play a 90-minute game since tearing a tendon in his left knee in October.

As U.S. fans fretted, his teammates surely knew the inside scoop after weeks of watching him in training, right?

So when was it clear that Onyewu would be able to play a full 90?

"Probably after the game on Saturday," DeMerit said.

Briefly:

The United States is calling North Korea a criminal state and saying the North is trying to steal South Korean TV signals of World Cup matches. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told news reporters Tuesday that North Korea could have a normal, lawful relationship with its neighbors. But he said it chooses instead to "try to steal or pirate a World Cup signal." …Howard has earned $50,000 for the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome as part of the Pepsi Refresh Project. Howard's project received the most votes online.

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